January 6 is the twelfth night after Christmas. Also called the Feast of the Epiphany or King’s Day or simply Twelfth Night, January 6 is the official end of the Christmas season. In New Orleans, Twelfth Night, January 6, is a significant day for another reason. It is the official start of the Carnival season, which runs until the day before Ash Wednesday or Mardi Gras.
Carnival is the season, carnival is a day
Many people use Mardi Gras and Carnival interchangeably, but they mean different things. Carnival is a season that begins on January 6 or the twelfth night. During Carnival, there are many dances, parades and other celebrations. It all leads to Mardi Gras, which means “Fat Tuesday” in French. Mardi Gras is always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Midnight on Mardi Gras is the official end of Carnival. That’s because Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent. One of the main reasons for Carnival and Mardi Gras is to eat, drink and be happy before observing the rigors of fasting and sacrifice during Lent.
Twelfth night celebrations
Twelfth night is cause for celebration in New Orleans because our favorite time of year, Carnival, officially begins. The Phunny Phorty Fellows are a band of Twelfth Night revelers who perform their annual ride every January 6 in the St. Charles Avenue Street Car, usually starting at 6 p.m. Joan of Arc’s birthday is celebrated in another celebration of Twelfth Night with a parade through the French Quarter beginning at the Bienville Statue on Decatur Street. Historical figures in medieval clothing will parade through the French Quarter.
This parade usually starts around 7pm. Throughout the city, live music venues will have special guests to celebrate Twelfth Night. It’s a fun time!
